Steroidal intermediates

ABSTRACT

Stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials. 7Substituted 3-oxo-1-heptenes or variants thereof are reacted with 2-alkylcycloalkane-1,3-diones yielding 3-substituted 6a Beta alkyl-cyclopenta (f) (l) benzopyrans or naphtho (2,1-b) pyrans. These are then subjected to a selective catalytic hydrogenation followed by an introduction of a hydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy group at the 4a-position to produce a 3-substituted 6a, Beta , 4ahydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy perhydrocyclopenta (f) (1) benzopyran or perhydro-naphtho (2,1-b) pyran. These latter compounds are then converted into 4- or 5-(3-oxoalkyl)perhydroindene-5-ones or perhydronaphthalene-6-ones which in turn can be converted to known steroidal materials by known methods.

United States Patent Saucy July 1, 1975 [54] STEROIDAL INTERMEDIATES 3694.463 9/1972 Andrews et al 260 3452 [75] Inventor: Gabriel Saucy, Essex Fells, NJ.

. Primary Examiner.lohn M. Ford [73] Asslgnee' gojffmann'la Roche Nufley Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Samuel L. Welt; Jon S.

' Saxe; George M. Gould [22] Filed: Mar. 13, 1974 Related Apphcatlon Data Stereo-specific total synthesis of steroidal materials. [60] gg z sg EF- N 3 tf 2 g E 7-Substituted 3-oxo-l-heptenes or variants thereof are W 1C 15 a CO" inua lOl'l-ll'lP'd Cl. 0 679,989, NOV. 2 1967, Pat NO 3544598, which is geacted with 2 alkylcycloalkane 1,3 drones yieldlng -subst1tuted 6a B-alkyl-cyclopenta [f] [l] benzopya continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 623,730, April 26, 1967, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of T or naphtho I P These 1 set 604,124, Dec 23, 1966, abandoned, which ected to a selective catalytic hydrogenation followed is a continuationin-part of Ser. No. 549,816, May y an introduction of a y y, alkoxy or a yl xy 13, 1966, abandoned, and a continuation-in-part of group at the 4a-position to produce a 3-substituted 6a, Ser. No. 813,693, April 4, 1969, abandoned B, 4a-hydroxy, alkoxy or acyloxy perhydrocyclopenta [f] [1] benzopyran or perhydro-naphtho [2,l-b] py- [52] [1.5. CI. 260/3452 ran These latter compounds are then converted into [51] Int. Cl C07d 7/20 4- or S-(3- aIkyI)perhydroindene-S-ones 0r perhy- [58] Field Of Search 260/3452 dronaphthalene-fi-ones which in turn can be converted to known steroidal materials by known meth- [56] References Cited ods.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.294.819 12/1966 Krakower et a]. 1. 260/3452 3 03mm N0 Draw'ngs STEROIDAL INTERMEDIATES RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a divisional of applicants copending application Ser. No. 57,372, filed July 22, 1970 now US. Pat. No. 3,816,458 which isacontinuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application SEr. No. 679,989, filed Nov. 2, 1967 now US. Pat. No. 3,544,598, which is a continuation-in-part of applicants' co-pending application Ser. No. 633,730, filed Apr. 26, 1967 now abandoned, which was filed as a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 604,124, filed Dec. 23, 1966 now abandoned, which was filed as a continuation-in-part of applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 549,816, filed May 13, 1966 now abandoned. This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 813,693, filed Apr. 4, 1969 now abandoned, inventors Gabriel Saucy and Michael Rosenberger, entitled, Preparation of 3-Oxo-I9-nor-A -Steroids from l-[3- substituted alkyll-desA Steroids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cyclopenta[f][1]-benzopyrans and 7H-naphtho[2, l bjpyrans are valuable as intermediates in the total synthesis of steroids. Total syntheses utilizing these compounds as intermediates are described in US. patent applications of Gabriel Saucy: Ser. No. 549,816, filed Dec. 23, 1966, now abandoned; Ser. No. 604,124 filed May 13, 1966, now abandoned; Ser. No. 633,730, filed Apr. 26, 1967, now abandoned. Other related applications include Ser. No. 633,693, filed Apr. 26, 1967, now abandoned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with certain polycyclic compounds and with processes for their synthesis. More particularly, this invention relates to novel cyclopenta[f][l]-benzopyrans and 7H-naphtho[2,lblpyrans, and to methods for their production. These compounds are useful as intermediates in syntheses of steroids and D-homosteroids, respectively. In syntheses of steroidal materials steric considerations are of great significance. The most used steroidal compounds are those having a C/D-trans ring junction wit the substituent in the l3-position being in the ,B-stereoconfiguration. The present invention provides a facile total synthesis of 13B-C/D-trans-steroidal materials. This desirable result is obtained via a unique asymmetric induction with optical specificity preserved in subsequent reaction steps.

In a major aspect, this invention is concerned with novel cyclopenta[f][llbenzopyrans having the tricyclic nucleus and novel naphtho[2,l-b]pyrans having the tricyclic nucleus These novel compounds are generally defined by the formula wherein Y is hydrogen; an alkyl group of from 1 to 6 carbons; or a group of the formula R CH C(R ,R )CH( 14) CH(R 5)- wherein R when taken alone, is hydroxy or a conventional hydrolyzable ether or ester group convertible to a hydroxy group by hydrolysis, R when taken alone is hydrogen, and R and R when taken together, are oxo or a conventional hydrolyzable ketal group convertible to an oxo moiety by hydrolysis; R is a primary alkyl group of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; R is hydrogen, lowerprimary alkyl, or lower acyl; R R R R and R are each independently hydrogen or lower alkyl; Z is carbonyl or a group of the formula R is hydrogen or lower acyl; R is hydrogen or lower aliphatic hydrocarbyl; T represents either a single or a double bond; U represents a single or a double bond and is a single bond when T is a single bond; m is an in teger having a value of from I to 2; n is an integer hav ing a value of from 0 to 1 and is 0 when T represents a double bond and is I when T represents a single bond; r is an integer having a value of from 0 to l and is 0 when T is a double bond and 1 when T is a single bond; and s is an integer having a value of from 0 to I and is 0 when U is a double bond and I when U is a single bond.

As used throughout the specification and appended claims, the term hydrocarbyl group" denotes a monovalent substituent consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen and having from 1 to 20 caebon atoms; the term hydrocarbylene" denotes a divalent substituent consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms and having its valence bonds from different carbons; the term aliphatic with reference to hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbylene groups, denotes groups containing no aromatic unsaturation, but which can be otherwise saturated or unsaturated, i.e., an alkyl or alkylene, or an aliphatic group containing olephinic or acetylenic unsaturation; the term alkyl group" denotes a saturated hydrocarbyl group, whether straight or branched chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; the term primary alkyl group denotes an alkyl group having its valence bond from a carbon bonded to at least two hydrogens; the term acyl group" denotes a group consisting of the residue of a hydrocarbyl monocarboxylic acid having 1 to 18 carbon atoms formed by removal of the hydroxyl portion of the carboxyl group; the term oxyhydrocarbyl denotes a monovalent saturated cyclic or acylic group consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen containing only one oxygen in the form of an ether linkage; and the term lower, as applied to any of the foregoing groups, denotes a group having a carbon skeleton containing up to and including eight carbons, such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, tert.- butyl, hexyl, 2-ethylhexyl, vinyl, butenyl, hexenyl, ethynyl, ethylene, methylene, formyl, acetyl, 2-phenylethyl, benzoyl, methoxymethyl, l-methoxyethyl, and the like. The phraseology conventional hydrolyzable ether or ester group convertible to a hydroxy group by hydrolysis is meant to include ether groups such as lower alkoxy groups, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, t-butoxy (most preferable) and the like and lower oxyhydrocarbyloxy groups such as tetrahydropyran-Z-yl-oxy, me thoxymethyl-oxy, l-methoxyethyl-oxy and the like; and ester groups such as acyl groups, e.g., formyloxy, acetyloxy, propionyloxy, pivaloyloxy, undecenoyloxy, benzoyloxy and the like. The phraseology conventional hydrolyzable ketal group convertible to an oxo moiety by hydrolysis comprehends moieties of the formula OR O-, -OR S, OR N- or SR.,S wherein R is alkylene having from I to 4 carbon atoms. Exemplary moieties are 1,2-ethylenedioxy, 2,2- dimethyl-l ,3-propylenedioxy, 1,2-ethylenedimercapto, 2,3-butylenedioxy and the like.

In the formulas presented herein, the various substituents on cyclic compounds are joined to the cyclic nucleus by one of three notations, a solid line indicating a substituent which is the B-orientation (i.e., above the plane of the paper), a dotted line indicating a substituent which is in the a-orientation (below the plane of the paper), or a wavy line (N 1) indicating a substituent which may be either the a-or B-orientation. The position of R has been arbitrarily indicated as the B-orientation, although the products obtained in the examples are all racemic compounds unless otherwise specified.

Preferred compounds are those wherein Y is n-alkyl, especially methyl, 3,3-(alkylenedioxy)butyl wherein the alkylenedioxy group, when taken with the 3-carbon of the butyl radical; forms a dioxolane ring system, especially 3,3-(ethylenedioxy)butyl and 3,3-(2',3'- butylenedioxy)-butyl; 3-hydroxybutyl, 3-tert.- alkoxybutyl, especially 3-tert.-butoxybutyl, or 3- (tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)butyl; R is n-alkyl, especially methyl and ethyl; and, when s has a value of l, the 9a- (when m is l) or lOa- (when m is 2) hydrogen is trans-oriented with respect to R,.

Subgeneric to the tricyclic compounds of formula l are the 3-substituted-6aB-alkyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta [f][ l lbenzopyrans and the 3- substituted-6aB-alkyll ,2,5,6,6a,7,8,9-octahydro-3H- naphtho[2,l-b]pyrans (by alternate nomenclature 3- suhstituted-fiuB-alkyl-l ,2,3,5,6.6u,8,9-octahydro-7H- naphthol2,1-blpyrans), hereinafter referred to as dienes, having the formula:

Z l CH2)m O Ia YCH Ru wherein R R R Z, Y and m are as defined above; the 3-substituted-6aB-alkyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9udecahydrocyclopentalfll l lbenzopyrans and the 3- substituted-oafi-alkyll ,2,5,6,6a,7,8,9,l0, 10adecahydro-3H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans), hereinafter referred to as monoenes", represented by the formula:

and the 3-substituted-6aB-alkyl-4ahydroxyperhydrocyclopentalf] [-l ]benzopyrans and the 3-substituted-aB-alkyl-4a-hydroxyperhydronaphthol2,l-b]pyrans and their lower alkyl ethers and monoacyl esters, hereinafter referred to as perhydro" compounds, represented by the formula:

wherein R R R11. R12, Z, Y, and m are as defined above.

Alternatively, the tricyclic compounds of formula I can be classified according to the nature of Y. which determines the utility of the compounds of this invention. The first of these classes are the 3-alkyl compounds of the formula: 5

wherein R R R R Z. m, n, r. s, T, and U are as defined above and x is an integer having a value of from 0 to 6, inclusive. These products are useful as intermediates for the synthesis of members of a recently discovered class of 93,1001- or retrosteroids, and also are useful as intermediates for the synthesis of asteroids, and other steroidal materials.

The second class of intermediates classified according to utility are the 3-(4-substituted pentyl) compounds of the formula:

RSCIIQACI-ICHCIIQ wherein R R R R R R R Z, m, n, r, s, T, and U are as defined above; A is carbonyl or CR R and R and R are as defined above. These compounds, which are useful as intermediates for the synthesis of l9-nor'steroids of the normal series. and other steroidal materials, can be further classified as:

l. The 3-(4-oxopentyl)-substituted cyclopentabenzopyrans and naphthopyrans of the formula:

Ie-l

it cn c'cscacs wherein R,, R R R R R R Z, m. n, r. .s', T, and U are as defined above.

2. The 3-[4,4-(ketal)pentyl l-substituted cyclopentabenzopyrans and naphthopyrans of the formula:

wherein R1, R2, R5, R9, R1], R12, R14, R15, Z, In, I), r. S, T, and U are as defined above; and both h are either sulfur or oxygen, or one h is oxygen and the other is sulfur or nitrogen. and

3. The 3-(4-hydroxypentyl)-substituted cyclopentabenzopyrans and naphthopyrans and ethers thereof of the formula:

0R R CH lIHCl-Ifl-ICHQ 18A wherein R R R R R R R Z, m, n, r, s, T, and U are as defined above and R is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower acyl or lower oxyhydrocarbyl. In compound of formula Ie-4, R as t-butyl is especially preferred.

In a second aspect, this invention is concerned with a method for producing the compounds of formula I via the following general reaction scheme:

12 wherein Y, R,, R R R Z, and m are as defined above; and B is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower acyl.

Thus, the process of this invention comprises the general steps of l) condensation of a 7-hydroxy-l-alken- 3-one or a variant thereof (II), as defined below, with a 2-alkylcycloalkane-l ,3-dione (Ill), as defined below, to produce diene (la); (2) saturation of the 9,9aor l0,l0a-double bond of diene (Ia) to produce monoene (lb); and (3) introduction of a hydroxy, alkoxy, or acyloxy group at the 4a-position and a hydrogen atom at the 912- or IOb-position of monoene (lb) to produce perhydro compound ([0). [t is to be understood that the foregoing reaction sequence is merely schematic in nature, and that each depicted step can represent only one or more than one reaction, as will be more fully described herein.

lt will be noted that the diene, monoene and pcrhydro compounds of this invention can bear a 3-(4-oxopentyl)-substituent. When such a side chain is desired, it is however preferable to perform the reac tion sequence with compounds having the 0x0 moiety of the 4-oxopentyl side chain in protected form. Protection can be effected by ketalization (to form lower alkylenedioxy or other hetero variants thereof), or by reduction to a hydroxy moiety optionally followed by etherification or esterification. The oxo moiety can be regenerated at any intermediate stage as desired.

l-Alken-3-one compounds of formula ll are employed as one of the starting materials for the foregoing reaction sequence. Illustrative examples of these I- alken-3-ones include 7-hydroxy-l-octen-3-onc, 7-hydr0xyl -nonen-3-one. 7-hyd roxyl -dodecen- 3-one, 7-acetoxy-l-nonen-3-one, 7-benzoyloxylnonen-3-one, 7-methoxy-l-nonen-3-one, 7-benzyloxyl-nonen-3-one, l 1,1 l-ethylenedioxy-7-hydroxy-ldodecen-3-one, 7,lLdihydroxy-l-dodecen-3-one, lltert.-butoxy-7-hydroxy- 1 -dodecen-3-one, l l- (tetrahydropyran-Z-yloxy)-7-hydroxy-1-dodecen- 3-one, and the like.

OH OH In sequence A, a sixmembered ring cyclic anhydride such as glutaric anhydride is reacted with a lower alkanol, for example, ethanol, to produce a monoalkyl glutarate half-ester. This half-ester is reacted with thionyl chloride to produce the corresponding acid chloride, which in turn is reacted with a dialkyl cadmium compound [(RCI-I Cd] to produce a 5-alkylsubstituted S-oxopentanoate. This ketone is then hydrogenated in the presence of a noble metal catalyst to form 5-substituted-5-valerolactone. The lactone is reduced by reaction with diisopropylaluminum hydride to form 6-substituted-tetrahydropyran-2ol. The tetrahydropyranol is then reacted with vinyl magnesium bromide or chloride to form 7-substituted-1-heptene- 3,7-diol which, on reaction with manganese dioxide, is converted to 7-substituted-7-hydroxy-l-hepten-3-one.

Sequence B comprises preparing the 5-alkylsubstituted-5-valerolactone employed in sequence A from Z-substituted-cyclohexane-l,3-dione. This transformation can be effected, for example, by hydrogenating the cyclohexanedione in the presence of sodium hydroxide and a Raney nickel catalyst to produce sodium 5-hydroxyvalerate, followed by acidification with, for example, hydrochloric acid. Alternatively, the cyclohexanedione can be reacted with barium hydroxide to produce S-substituted-S-oxopentanoic acid which, on hydrogenation in the presence of sodium hydroxide and Raney nickel followed by acidification, yields 5- substituted-S-valerolactone.

Sequence C involves reacting a 1,5-alkylenedial such as glutaraldehyde with a Grignard reagent of the formula wherein Y is as defined above and X is bromine or chlorine to form a 6-substituted-tetrahydropyran-Z-ol. This reaction and the products obtained thereby are described in greater detail in United States patent application of David A. Andrews and Gabriel Saucy, Ser. No. 633,693, filed Apr. 26, 1967, entitled 6- SUBSTITUTED TETRAHYDROPYRAN-2-OLS AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PRODUCTION", now abandoned.

Sequence D comprises reacting, for example, butyrolactone with thionyl chloride in the presence of zinc chloride to produce a 4-chlorobutyric acid chloride. The acid chloride is reacted with the dialkyl compound [(RCH Cd] defined above to produce 5- suhstituted-l-chloropentan-4-one. The chloroketone, in the form of its ketal, for example, the ethylenedioxy ketal, is reacted with magnesium to form 4- (cthylenedioxy)-5-substituted pentyl magnesium chloride. This Grignard reagent is reacted with acrolein to yield, upon hydrolysis, 8-substituted-3-hydroxyocten- 7-one. This hydroxy ketone is reduced to 7-substituted- 5 l-heptene-3,7-diol by reaction with lithium aluminum hydride, and the diol converted to 7-substituted-7- hydroxyhepten-B-one by reaction with manganese dioxide.

Because of the susceptibility of the vinyl group of the 7-hydroxy-l-alken-3-one to oxidation, it is desirable. although not essential, that this compound. be converted to more stable variants, such as those of the formula:

wherein R R Y and B are as defined above; and R is chloro, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower hydrocarbylamino or di( lower hydrocarbyl)amino. Variants of formula Ila and methods for their preparation are described in detail in my United States patent application Ser. No. 604,124, filed Dec. 23, 1966, entitled a-OLEFINS, now abandoned.

As exemplary, these compounds of formula IIa are readily produced from the vinyl ketones of formula II by known techniques. For example. l-chloro-7- hydroxyalkan-3-ones are obtained by the anti- Markownikoff reaction of the vinyl compound with hydrogen chloride in known manner. l-Hydroxy and 1- alkoxy derivatives are obtained by the base-catalyzed reaction of water or a lower alkanol, for example, methanol, with the vinyl ketone. Additional derivatives are formed by the reaction of the vinyl ketone with a mono(lower hydrocarbyl)- or di(lower hydrocarbyl)- amine to form the Mannich base l-(lower hydrocarbyl- )aminoor l-di( lower hydrocarbyl )amino-7- hydroxyalkan-3-one. A particularly advantageous procedure is to oxidize a hydroxy vinyl compound of formula IVa with manganese dioxide in the presence of such an amine. In some instances, particularly in large scale commercial operation, it may be desirable to convert the Mannich base to its crystalline acid addition salts, particularly quaternary ammonium salts. All of the chloro, hydroxy, alkoxy, and aminoalkanones yield the alkenones of formula II under the conditions of the condensation with the 2-alkylcycloalkane-l,3-dione.

The compounds of formula II can be used in the form of still another variant. This is the cyclized variant comprising a cyclic hemiketal, i.e., Z-tetrahydropyranol of the formula:

IIb

wherein Y is as defined above and R is lower bydrocarbylamino or di(lower hydrocarbyl)amino. The variants of formula llb can be prepared from compounds of formula II by reaction with the same reactants as are used to produce those compounds of formula Ila wherein R is lower hydrocarbylamino or di(- lower hydrocarbyl)amino. As is apparent, those compounds of formula Ila wherein R has the aforesaid meanings and the compounds of formula llb are isomers. These isomers exist in the form of a ketone of formula Ila or in the form of the cyclic hemiketal of formula llb or as an equilibrium mixture of the two forms, Whether a particular Mannich base of formula Ila exists in that form or the hemiketal form or in an equilibrium mixture consisting primarily of one or the other will depend upon the environmental conditions in which it is placed, such as temperature, solvent and pH of reaction medium, as well as the particular meaning of Y and R or R Either form is useful for the purposes of this invention since these isomers are used in a reaction with compounds of formula III, infra, and either the acyclic form of formula Ila or the cyclic hemiketal form of formula llb is useful for this purpose. A particular advantage of the cyclic form is its greater sta bility as compared with the acyclic form and also as compared with the vinyl ketones of formula II. In order to obtain the cyclic form it is essential that in the compound of formula Ila, B is hydrogen. Acidic conditions shift the equilibrium away from the cyclic form. Use of an optically active amine, e.g., phenylethylamine, offers the advantage of resolving the compound, for example, via salt formation, to give an optically pure isomer of formula Ila or llb which is then used in the remainder of the reaction sequence of this invention and when coupled with the unique asymmetric induction and preservation of optical specificity thereof offers a facile route to optically pure steroidal materials.

In a further aspect of this invention optically active compounds of formula llb where Y is 3-oxobutyl are prepared from optically active precursors according to the following reaction sequence:

II-b-l R where R is lower alkyl; and R R and R are as above.

As indicated an optically active 9-oxo-decanoic acid fi-lactone of formula XXI is treated with a lower alkoxy amine or an acid addition salt thereof, e.g., a mineral acid salt such as the hydrochloride. hydrogen sulfate, hydrobromide and the like to form the corresponding lower alkoxy, imino compound XXII. A preferred lower alkoxyamine for this purpose is methoxyamine, most preferably in the form of its hydrochloride salt. This reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range of from about l0 to 50C.. most preferably in the range of from about 25 to 30C A solvent may be employed to facilitate the course of the reaction. Preferred solvents include organic nitrogen bases such as for example, pyridine, triethylamine, dimethylamine. trimethylamine and the like. After completion of the reaction wherein a mineral acid salt of the lower alkoxyamine is employed it is desirable to add a basic or ganic amine to the reaction mixture to neutralize the acid produced. Suitable basic organic amines for this purpose include the tertiary amines, e.g., trialkylamines such as triethylamine.

In the second step of this sequence the keto lactone XXII is treated first with vinyl Grignard, e.g.. vinyl magnesium bromide or chloride in an ethereal solvent, e.g., tetrahydrofuran at a temperature in the range of from about 0 to C; preferably in the range of from about -45 to 55C. The resulting intermediate having the following tautomeric structure XXIII where R R and R are as above is then treated with a lower hydrocarbylamine or a di(lower hydrocarbyl )amine, e.g., diethylamine in an ethereal solvent, e.g., diethyl ether at a temperature in the range of from about 0 to 50C., preferably at about room temperature to yield an intermediate of the formula I E o XXIV K where R R R and R are as above.

The intermediate oxime compound XXIV when treated with dilute aqueous acid, such as aqueous mineral acid, e.g., 2N sulfuric acid is hydrolyzed to the ketone with concomitant purification of the amine to yield the desired compound of formula Il-b-l This acid treatment step is conveniently carried out in the presence ofa suitable inert organic solvent, preferably a ketonic solvent such as acetone, at a temperature in the range of from about 0 to 50C., preferably in the range of from about 20 to 30C., e.g., 25C.

It should be noted that intermediate compounds XXIII and XXIV need not be isolated or otherwise purified during the aforesaid transformations but can be utilized in crude form for further steps.

The optically active 9-oxo-decanoic acid S-Iactone of the indicated configuration may be prepared from ra cemic 5,9-dioxodecanoic acid by microbiological reduction followed by lactonization. This procedure, which is not part of the present invention, is described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 57.37I. now US. Pat. No. 3,657,070, MICROBIOLOGICAL PREPARATION OF OPTICALLY ACTIVE 9-OXO- (S)-HYDROXY-DECANOIC ACID AND THE LACTONE THEREOF, inventors Julius Berger and Michael Rosenberger.

As is indicated above. the 7-hydroxy group of the 7- hydroxyalkanone of formula II or Ila can be esterified or etherified for the condensation reaction with the cycloalkanedione. These reactions can be effected in known manner. For example, the 7-hydroxyalkan- 3-one can be reacted with a carboxylic acid or an acid chloride to produce an ester, or can be converted to an ether by either (1) preferably, known acid catalyzed etherifications, e.g., with isobutylene or dihydropyran or (2) conversion of the 7-hydroxyalken-3-one to its sodium salt followed by reaction of the salt with an alkyl halide. In the event R is hydrogen, this hydroxyl group is also etherified or esterified.

The starting material of formula II or variant thereof can either be used in racemic form or in optically active form. When used in optically active form, the 7S- antipode is preferred for reasons more fully explained below.

The second reactant employed in the condensation as generally mentioned above is a 2-(lower alkyl) cycloalkane-l,3-dione of the formula:

wherein R, and m are as defined above. These compounds are known compounds and description of their synthesis is accordingly unnecessary. Suitable compounds include 2-methyIcyclopentane-I,3-dione, 2- ethylcyclopentane- I ,3-dione, 2-propylcyclopentanel,3-dione, 2-butylcyclopentane-l ,3-dione, Z-methylcyclohexane-l,3-dione, and the like.

The conditions for the condensation of ketone (II) or variant (Ila, llb or llhl with cyclic dione (III) are not narrowly critical, although it is preferred, particularly when the acyclic ketone is charged as the vinyl ketone, that a non-oxidizing atmosphere, e.g., nitrogen or argon, be employed. It is further preferred that an antioxidant, for example, phenolic compounds such as hydroquinone, be present. Furthermore, the reaction can be conducted in the absence or presence of acid or base promoters. Suitable basic promoters include those heretofore known to promote the Michael condensation, including inorganic bases, for example, alkali metal hydroxides. such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, and organic bases, including alkali metal alkoxides. for example, sodium or potassium methoxide or ethoxide, and ammonium hydroxides, particularly benzyltrialkylammonium hydroxide. A preferred class of base promoters are the amines, especially tertiary amines and most preferably pyridine-type compounds such as pyridine and the picolines. Acid promoters which can be employed include organic carboxylic acids such as acetic acid or benzoic acid, organic sulfonic acids such as p-toluenesolfonic acid; and mineral acids such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, and the like. The amount of promoter employed is not narrowly critical and can vary from catalytic amounts to molar amounts.

The ratio of ketone (II) or variant (Ila, llb or ll-b-l) to cyclic dione (III) is not narrowly critical, although approximately equimolar amounts are preferred. Although there is no particular advantage to the use of excesses of either reactant, the cycloalkanedione can be more readily employed in excess because, due to its general low solubility in known organic solvents, unreacted cycloalkanedione can be easily recovered from the reaction mixture.

The reaction temperature is not critical and can vary from room temperature or below to reflux temperature or higher. The condensation is preferably conducted in the presence of an inert solvent to insure a fluid reaction mixture and uniform reaction temperatures. Primary alcohols are not desirable due to their tendency to react with vinyl ketones. Suitable solvents include tertiary alcohols such as tert.-butanol; aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, hexane, octane, benzene, xylene, toluene, and the like; ethers such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and the like; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and the like; as well as dipolar aprotic solvents such dimethylsulfoxide and the N,N- disubstituted amides such as dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide.

The product of the condensation, depending upon the nature of vinyl ketone or variant (ll, Ila, llb or ll-bl and/or the reaction promoter employed, can be one or more of the compounds having the formulae:

CH2 Y Ia-l wherein R R R B, Y, and m are defined above.

When vinyl ketone (II) is a 7-alkoxyor 7-acyloxy compound, the product will be a compound of formula IV. However, when the vinyl ketone is a 7-hydroxy compound, or the reaction conditions are sufficient to convert a 7alkoxyor 7-acyloxy group, if present, the product will depend upon the promoter.

When the promoter is an acid or a relatively weak base, such as pyridine, or when no promoter is employed at all, the reaction product obtained from the 7-hydroxy vinyl ketone is the diene, i.e., tricyclic enol ether (Ia-l When a strong base, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, is employed as a promoter, a crystalline product having the formula V1 is isolated, although compounds of formulae IV and V are also present in the reaction mixture. However, the compounds of formulae IV, V and VI, upon treatment with an acid, such as acetic acid, para-toluenesulfonic acid, or sulfuric acid, readily form the diene, i.e., tricyclic enol ether (la-l It should also be noted that the conversion of the acyloxy or alkoxy groups of compound (IV) to a hydroxy group in an acidic medium is accompanied by cyclization to enol ether (la-l The condensation of a vinyl ketone of formula ll or a variant thereof of formula Ila or llb with a cycloalkanedione of formula III is one of the key features of this reaction. It is in this condensation that specific stereochemical induction at one member of the critical C/D-ring junction of the eventual steroidal product occurs. Thus, this invention is particularly advantageous in that it involves a unique asymmetric induction. Thus, the products of the condensation, i.e., the dienones of formula la-l, have at least two asymmetric centers at positions 3 and 6a permitting theoretically of two racemates or four optical antipodes. However, as a result of the condensation of this invention, when using a racemic starting material of formulas Il, Ila or llb wherein R and R are both hydrogen only a single racemate of formula la-l results and when using an optically active starting material of formulas ll, Ila, llb or llb-l wherein R and R are both hydrogen only a single optical antipode of formula [11-] results. It has further been found that when starting with a compound of formula II or lla with a 7S-stereoconfiguration or of formula llb with corresponding stereoconfiguration there is obtained the more desirable optical antipode of formula la-l having a oafi-stereoconfiguration. Thus, to

prepare steroidal materials having the more desired l3,B-stereoconfiguration by the synthesis of this invention one can either start with the antipode of formula II, lla, llh or llb-l, which can be prepared by resolving a racemic compound of formula II, llu or llh, or one can resolve at some intermediate stage subsequent to the condensation with a cycloalkanedione of formula III or one can resolve the end-product steroidal material. In any event, the unique asymmetric induction concurrent to the condensation of this invention renders the obtention of a single optical antipode as an end-product more facile. The simultaneous formation of the dienol ether of formula la-l with unique asymmetric induction is a special advantage of this invention.

The dienes of formula la in the presence of water and acid. e.g., sulfuric acid in acetone, aqueous acetic acid or aqueous hydrochloric acid in dioxane, undergo acid hydrolysis to form indenones of the formula wherein R R R Y and m have the same meaning as above. The indenones of formula la are themselves convertible to compounds of formula la via dehydration, for example, via acid catalyzed azeotropic distillation in benzene. Suitable acid catalysts are p-toluenesulfonic acid, potassium bisulfate, boron trifluoride etherate and the like. This reversible hydrolysis of compounds of formula la is useful in their preparation and purification. Thus, in instances where the direct purification of compounds of formula la is difficult it is often more facile to hydrolyze the compound of formula la to a compound of formula la, which can then be purified, for example, by chromatography, and subsequently be reconverted to the desired compound of formula la via dehydration.

The ketodienes of formula la-l are readily converted to the corresponding 7B-alcohols and their esters as represented by the formula:

Zia-2 wherein Y, R R R R and m are as previously defined, by the sequence of reactions comprising reduction of the ketone to the alcohol and, if desired, subsequent esterification.

The reduction can be effected by any of the known methods for the chemical reduction of a ketone, e.g., by reaction of dienone (la-l) with an alkali metal or Group Ill-metal reducing agent. By the term alkali metal, as employed herein, is meant a Group l-metal having an atomic number of from 3 to 19, inclusive, i.e., lithium, sodium, and potassium. Group Ill-metals include those having atomic numbers of from to 13, inclusive, i.e., boron and aluminum. Illustrative examples of these reducing agents include an alkali metal, preferably lithium or sodium, in liquid ammonia or a liquid aliphatic amine; tri(lower alkoxy)-aluminum compounds such as triisopropoxyaluminum; di(lower alkyl )-aluminum hydrides such as diethylaluminum hydride and diisobutyl-aluminum hydride; alkali metal- Group Ill-metal complex hydrides such as lithium aluminum hydride, sodium aluminum hydride, and sodium borohydride; tri(lower alkoxy)alkali metal-Group Illmetal complex hydrides such as trimethoxy lithium aluminum hydride and tributoxy lithium aluminum hydride; diisobutyl aluminum hydride and the like. The alkali metal-Group Ill-metal complex hydrides are preferred as reducing agents. with the nonalkaline reagents, such as lithium aluminum hydride, being especially preferred.

This reaction is effected in any suitable inert reaction medium, such as hydrocarbons, e.g., cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, and xylene; ethers, e.g., diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, and tetrahydrofuran. Protic solvents, such as water or alcohols, should not be employed when lithium aluminum hydride is the reducing agent, but can be employed with sodium borohydride.

The remaining reaction conditions are not narrowly critical, although it is generally preferred to effect the reduction at reduced temperatures, i.e., below about room temperature (about 25C. Temperatures in the range of from about 0C. to about room temperature are normally employed.

In the reduction ofa dienone of formula la-l to a die nol of formula la-2 any keto group in the side chain symbolized by Y is simultaneously reduced and any acyloxy group is hydrolyzed, in both cases yielding a corresponding hydroxy group. Any such side chain bydroxy group can be converted to an oxo moiety by treatment with conventional oxidizing means such as manganese dioxide. It is, however, preferable to use starting materials with etherified hydroxy moieties or ketalized oxo moieties in the side chain since these are unaffected by the reduction.

The free alcohol is recovered from the reaction mixture after treatment of the mixture with acid. The alcohol can be esterified in known manner, for example, by base-catalyzed reaction with a carboxylic acid halide or carboxylic acid anhydride. Illustrative bases include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide and organic bases such as a sodium alkoxide or an amine, especially a tertiary amine, and more particularly, pyridine and the picolines.

The ketodienes of formula la-l can also be converted to their 7B-hydroxy-7a-hydrocarbyl derivatives represented by the formula:

wherein Y, R,, R,,, R R and m are as previously defined and R is lower hydrocarbyl by reaction of the ketodiene with a Grignard reagent of the formula:

R MgX Vll wherein R is as previously defined and X is a halogen having an atomic number of from 17 to 35, inclusive (i.e., chlorine or bromine).

This Grignard reaction is conducted in known man ner. For example, the Grignard reagent is prepared by reacting a hydrocarbyl halide with magnesium in an ether reaction medium, for example, ethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran, at elevated temperature, generally in the range of from about 40C to about C. The ketodiene (Ia-l) is then added to the Grignard solution at about room temperature, although higher or lower tempera tures can be employed. The resulting reaction product is hydrolyzed to produce the free alcohol, which can be esterified as discussed above.

Alternatively, the alcohols can be prepared by reac tion of ketodiene (Ia-l with a hydrocarbyl alkali metal compound such as methyl lithium, sodium acetylide, potassium acetylicle, and the like.

[f a dienone of formula la-l is to be converted to a diene of formula la-3 then a starting material of formula la-l wherein the side chain Y includes an oxo group should not be used. Also, during the course of such conversion any ester moieties present in the side chain will be hydrolyzed.

Illustrative examples of the dienes represented by formulae la-Z and Ia-3 include 3,6aB-dimethyl-7B- hydroxy-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydro-cyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran; 3,6aB-diethyl-7B-hydroxyl,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-7,Bacetoxy-l,2,3,5,6.6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopentalf l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyl-6afimethyl-7B-benzoyloxy-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-

octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyloctahydrocyclopentalfll l ]benzopyran; 6aB-methyl-7B-hydroxy- 1 ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta[ f][ l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyl-7B- hydroxy-6a/3-methyl-7a-vinyl'l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydro-cyclopentalf][ l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyl-7aethynyl-7B-hydroxy-6aB-methyl-l ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopentalfll l ]benzopyran; 7B-acetoxy-3- ethyl-6aB7a-dimethyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6 a,7,8- octahydrocyclopentalf][ l ]benzopyran; 3-ethyl-7B- hydroxy-(aaB-dimethyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,8,9-octahydro-7H- naphtho[2,l-b]pyran; 7B-hydroxy-6aB-methyl-3-(4- oxopcntyl)-l,2,3,4,5,5u,7,8- octahydrocyclopentalf]l l ]benzopyran; 6uB-ethyl-7B- hydroxy-3-(4-oxopentyl)-l,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta [fll l ]benzopyran; ethylenedioxy)pentyl]-7,B-hydroxy6aB-methyll,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydrocyclopentalf][ l lbenzopyran; 3-[4,4-(2',3)-butylenedioxy-pentylJ-6aB-ethyl- 7B-hydroxy-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8- octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l lbenzopyran; butoxypentyl)-7B-hydroxy-6aB-methyll,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydrocyclopenta[f]l l Ibenzopyran; 3-(4-t-butoxypentyl)-6aB-ethyl-7B-hydroxyl,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l Jbenzopyran; 7B-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxypentyl)-6aBmethyl- 12,3,5,6,6a,7,8-octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l lbenzopyran and the like.

The second step of the general synthesis of the tricyclic compounds of this invention comprises conversion of the dienes of formula la to the monoenes of formula lb by catalytic hydrogenation. Suitable catalysts include the noble metals, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, and the like, as well as Raney nickel and other hydrogenation catalysts. These catalysts can be employed in the form of the metal alone, or can be deposited on suitable support materials, such as carbon, alumina, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, and the like. Palladium and rhodium are preferred as catalysts. The hydrogenation is preferably conducted in the presence of inert solvents such as hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, and the like. The reaction conditions of pressure and temperature are not narrowly critical, and normally a hydrogen pressure of about one atmosphere and a temperature of about room temperature are employed. These ambient conditions are generally preferred to avoid significant hydrogenation of the 4a,9b( lb)-double bond, although more severe conditions, for example, up to about 100C. and up to about 100 atmospheres, can be employed if desired. The hydrogenation medium can be acidic, neutral, or basic, as may be desired, although neutral media, such as hydrocarbons, e.g., toluene or hexane, or basic media, such as an alcohol-base, e.g., methanol-sodium hydroxide, mixture are preferred for best results. In general, hydrogenation of the diene of formula la leads to the corresponding monoene of formula lb. However, in the event R is an unsaturated hydrocarbyl radical, the hydrogenation, in addition to hydrogenating the ring double bond, also hydrogenates the 70z-hydrocarbyl substituent, converting it to an alkyl group.

Via the aforesaid catalytic hydrogenation C/D-trans compounds are formed in a major proportion when hydrogenating a diene of formula la-2. This method thus provides an advantageous synthesis of C/D-trans steroidal materials. When hydrogenating a diene of formula la- 1 C/D-cis compounds are formed in a major proportion. This method thus provides an advantageous synthesis of C/D-cis steroidal materials.

Compounds wherein Z is carbonyl, as represented by the formula:

YCH

wherein Y. R,, R R and m are as previously defined, can be converted to the corresponding alcohols or csters of the formula:

YCH2

wherein Y, R,, R R R and m are previously de fined, or to the 7,8hydroxy-7othydrocarbyl compounds of the formula:

wherein Y, R R R R R and m are as previously defined, by the techniques discussed above regarding the dienes of formula la.

When Z is carbonyl and the hydrogenation is effected under basic conditions, there is a tendency toward the production of predominantly the 6a/9a( l0a)-ciscompound; that is, the hydrogen atom in the 9a( 10a)- position of formula lb-l is predominantly in the B-orienta tion. When these compounds are intended as intermediates for the synthesis of steroids having the C/D- trans-orientation, this technique is not particularly desirable. Although the ratio of B- to oz-orientation falls to about 1:1 at neutral conditions when hydrogenating a compound wherein Z is carbonyl, it is preferred to hydrogenate a 7l3-alcohol or ester of formula la-2 because the products of this hydrogenation are predominantly the 6a/9a(lOa)-trans-compounds. Compounds of formula la-3 when subjected to the hydrogenation yield a ratio of B to a-orientation in between that of the compounds of formula la-l and that of the compounds of formula la-2. When monoenes of formula lb-l having C/D-trans configuration are desired, it is preferable to first reduce the dienone of formula [(1-1 to a corresponding hydroxy compound of formula la-Z prior to the catalytic hydrogenation. Following the catalytic hydrogenation the carbonyl moiety in formula lb-l can be regenerated by conventional means, such as oxidation with chromium trioxide.

The monoene compounds of formula lb prepared by the above-described hydrogenation contain at least three asymmetric centers, at positions 3, bu and 9a when m is one and at positions 3. 6a and a when m is two. With respect to these three centers there are thus eight antipodal configurations possible. By virtue of the unique asymmetric induction of this invention, proceeding from a racemic starting material of formula ll, lla or llb only four of these antipodes of formula lb are prepared and proceeding from an optically active starting material of formula II, Ila, [lb or llb-l only two of these antipodes of formula lb are prepared. Moreover, by the above-described hydrogenation of this invention and by appropriate selection of the 7- substituent in the diene of formula [a subjected to the hydrogenation there can predominantly be prepared the desired 6a,9a(l0a)trans-stereo-configuration. Thus, the eventual obtention of the more desired l3,8-C/D-trans-configuration in the ultimate steroidal products is rendered more facile by the stereoselective reactions provided by this invention.

Illustrative examples of the monoenes of formula lb include 3,6aB-dimethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6a,9,9aoctahydrocyclopentalffl l ]-benzopyran-7(8H)-one; 3,6aB-diethyll ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a,9,9aoctahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]-benzopyran-7( 8H )-one; 3,6aB-dipropyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a,9,9aoctahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7(8H)-one; 3,- 6aB-dimethyl-7B-hydroxy-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,7,8,9,9a-

decahydrocyclopenta[f]{ l ]-benzopyran; 7B-acetoxy- 3 ,aB-dimethyll ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopentalfll l ]benzopyran; 7B-hydroxy- 3 ,6aB,7a-trimethyl-l ,2,3,5 ,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopentafill l ]benzopyran; 3,6a,8,7atriethyl-7B-hydroxy-l ,2,3.5,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopentalfll 1 ]benzopyran; 3,6113- dimethyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6a,8,9,10,10a-decahydro7H- naphthol 2, l-b]pyran-7-one; 6aB-methyl-3-(4- oxopentyl)-1,2,3,5,6.6a,9,9a-octahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7(8H)-one; 611B -ethyl-3' (4-oxopentyl l ,2,3,5,6,6u,9,9aoctahydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]-benzopyran-7(8H )-one; 3-[(4,4-ethylenedioxy)penyl]-6aBmethyll ,2,3,5,6,6u.9,9aoctahydrocyclopental f][ 1 ]benzopyran-7(8H)-one; 3-(4-t-butoxypentyl)-6aB-methyll,2,3,5,6,6a,9,9u-octahydrocyclopentalf][1]benzopy ran-7t 8H )-one; 3-(4-hydroxypentyl )-6aB methyl] ,2,3,5,6,6u,9,9a-octahydrocyclopenta[f]l 1 benzopyran-7( 8H )-one, 3-(4-hydroxypentyl )-6a[3 methyl-l ,2,3,5.6.6a,7,8.9,9adecahydrocyclopenta[ f][ l ]-benzopyran-7-ol, cthyl-3-(4-hydroxypcntyl )-l ,2,3,5 ,6,6a,7,8,9,9adecahydrocyclopental f][ l j-benzopyran-7-ol and the like.

The final reaction of applicants general process for the compounds of this invention is the conversion of the monoene of formula lb to the perhydro compound of formula lc by reaction of the monoene with a compound having the formula:

R OH

wherein R is as previously defined. That is, the monoone of formula lb is reacted with water. a primary alcohol, or a carboxylic acidv This reaction is catalyzed by mineral or organic acids, for example, hydrochloric acid. phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, para-toluenesulfonic acid. and the like. Sulfuric acid is the preferred acid catalyst, and water the preferred reactant. Although not necessary, it is desirable to conduct this reaction in the presence of an added solvent, particularly in the event the compound of formula VIII is water. In this case, it is desirable to employ a solvent which is both miscible with water and a solvent for the monoene of formula lb. Solvents of this nature include acetone. tert.-butanol, dioxane, and the like. The reaction temperature is not critical, and ambient temperature is normally employed. although higher and lower tempera tures could be employed if desired.

In addition to the addition of the R OH compound, this step effects the conversion of a ketalized side chain such as the 3-[(4,4-alkylenedioxy)pentyll-group, if present, to the 3-(4-oxopcntyl)-group.

As with the compounds of formulae Ia-l and Ihl the compounds of general formula Ic wherein Z is carbonyl:

wherein Y, R R R R and m are as previously defined, are readily converted to their corresponding alcohols:

wherein Y, R R R R R and m are as previously defined, or the B-hydroxy-a-hydrocarbyl compounds:

23 wherein Y, R,, R R R R R and m are as previously defined, by the previously described methods.

In a modification of the general technique outlined above, one can simultaneously effect the hydrogenation and hydration steps, for example, by hydrogenation of a diene of formula la in aqueous sulfuric acid. When this simultaneous hydrogenationhydration reaction is effected, it is preferred to begin with a diene having a hydroxy] group in the 7/3-position.

Illustrative examples of the compounds falling within the scope of formula lc include 4a-hydroxy-3,6aB- dimethyl-perhydrocyclopentalf][ 1 ]benzopyran-7-one; 4a-acetoxy-3,6aB-dimethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7-one; 4amethoxy-3 ,6aB-dimethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ 1 ]benzopyran-7-one, 3,6aB-

diethyl4a-hydroxyperhydro-cyclopenta[f]l 1 ]benzopyran-7-one, 3-[4,4-(2',3)butylenedioxy-pentyl1-6413- ethyl-4a-hydroxyperhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7-one, 4a,7B-dihydroxy-3,6aB-dimethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran; 4a,7fidihydroxy-3 ,6aB-7a-trimethylperhydrocyclopentalfll l ]-benzopyran; 4a,7B-

di(acetoxy )-3 ,6a,8-dimethyl-perhydrocyclopenta- [f][ l ]benzopyran; 4a,7B-di(acetoxy)-3,6aB-dimethylperhydronaphtho [2, l b]pyran; 4a-hydroxy-6aB- methyl-3-( 4-oxopentyl)perhydrocyclopentalf][ 1 ]benzopyran-7-one; 3-[4,4-ethylenedioxy)pentyl]-4ahydroxy-6aB-methyl-perhydrocyclopenta[f][ 1 ]benzopyran-7-one; 3-(4-t-butoxypentyl)-4a-hydroxy-6a,B methyl-perhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7-one; 4a-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxypentyl)-6aB-methylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-7-one, hydroxypentyl)-6aB-methylperhydrocyclopentalfll l ]benzopyran-4a,7-diol, 3-(4- hydroxypentyl)-6aB-ethylperhydrocyclopenta[f][ l ]benzopyran-4a,7-diol, methyl-3-(4-oxopentyl)-perhydrocyclopenta[f][11 benzopyran-4a,7-diol, and the like.

Although in the various compounds of formula I, as well as their precursors of formulas ll, Ila and llb, the symbol Y comprehends a 3-oxobutyl moiety, it should be noted that it is not preferred to work directly with such oxo-substituted compounds. This is because in many of the reaction steps utilized herein such an x0 moiety would itself be affected. Accordingly, it is preferred to protect such an oxo moiety and regenerate the 0x0 moiety from its protected form at any desirable stage of the reaction sequence. Protection of the 0x0 moiety can be effected according to means known per se. Similarly, regeneration of the 0x0 moiety from its protected form can be effected by means known per se. Thus, one preferred method of effecting protection of the 0x0 moiety is to convert it to its ketal by reaction with an alkanediol in a known manner. Advantagcous results are obtained where protection of the oxo moiety is effected at an early stage in the synthesis. An especially preferred alkanediol is butanediol which affords excellent resistance to attack by nucleophilic reagents. When butanediol is employed, R and R when taken together are for example, 2,3-butylenedioxy. Similarly, an oxo moiety can be converted to its dithia ketal by reaction with dithioethane in a known manner, for example, in acetic acid at room temperature and in the presence of boron trifluoride. Moreover, a monothia ketal can similarly be prepared in a known manner, for example, by reaction of the 0x0 moiety with 2-mercaptoethanol in dioxane at room temperature in the presence of zinc chloride and sodium sulfate. Also, the monoaza ketals can be prepared in a known manner, for example, by reaction of the oxo moiety with 2- hydroxyethylamine in the presence of acid. Finally, the 0x0 moiety can be reduced to the corresponding hydroxy compound which can then be etherified or esterifled. As indicated above, the 0x0 moiety can be regenerated from its protected form at any desired stage of the reaction sequence. Thus, it can be readily produced by hydrolysis of the alkylenedioxy ketals in a known manner. Similarly, it can be regenerated from the dithia ketal in a known manner, for example, by treatment with phenylmercuric chloride and calcium carbonate in ethanol or by treatment with dioxane in methanolic hydrochloride. Also, it can be regenerated from a monothia ketal in a known manner, for example, by treatment under strong acidic conditions, for example, by treatment with aqueous sulfuric acid in dioxane or hydrochloride in acetic acid. Moreover, it can be regenerated from a monoaza ketal in a known manner, for example, by treatment with a strong aqueous acid. Also, ethers and/or esters can be reconverted to the free hydroxy group which in turn can be oxidized to give the 0x0 moiety.

As indicated above, the tricyclic compounds of this invention are useful as intermediates for the preparation of various steroid compounds, depending upon the nature of Y. For example, compounds wherein Y is hydrogen or alkyl lead to 9B, IOa-steroids or 10asteroids, whereas compounds wherein Y is 3- substitutedbutyl, lead to l9-nor-steroids of the normal series, as illustrated by the following reaction scheme.

where R is hydrogen or alkyl; R is lower alkyl and the remaining symbols are as above.

In the first step of this reaction scheme, the compound of formula lc is oxidized to form bicyclic compound of the formula X wherein Y is hydrogen, alkyl, 3-ketalbutyl, or etherified 3-hydroxybutyl, by contact with such oxidizing agents as chromic acid, potassium dichromate, or potassium permanganate. Jones reagent (chromic acid, sulfuric acid and acetone), or a chromic acid-acetic acid mixture are preferred as oxidizing agents. The nature of Z is unchanged in this reaction, except when Z is hydroxymethylene [CH(OH) 1. In this instance, unless the hydroxyl group is protected, as by formation ofa lower acyl ester, it is oxidized to form a carbonyl group. Similar oxidation is effected when compound (lc) contains as Y a 3-hydroxybutyl group. A hydroxylated product is readily obtained, however, by hydrolysis of a product ester. The reaction temperature is not narrowly critical. and temperatures in the range of from to about 75C. are suitable, although ambient temperatures are preferred.

in the second step, bicyclic compound (X) is treated with acid or base to effect cyclization to (Xl). In this reaction, it is preferred that the water of reaction be removed, as by refluxing the reaction mixture with an azeotroping agent in the presence of a strong acid and separating the water from the condensate. Suitable strong acids are sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,

potassium bisulfate and the like. Alternatively, base catalyzed dehydration can be utilized, for example, by refluxing compound (X) in the presence of methanolic sodium hydroxide.

The hydrogenation of cycle-olefin Xl to tricyclic compounds XV or Xll is preferably effected with a noble metal catalyst, e.g., a palladium-charcoal catalyst or a rhodium catalyst. in formula XV R represents hydrogen or alkyl. Thus, when compounds of formula Xl wherein Y represents hydrogen or alkyl are hydrogenated, compounds of formula XV are obtained, whereas when compounds of formula Xl wherein Y represents R CH C(R ,R )CH(R CH( R hydrogenation yields compounds of formula XII. Hydrogenation products of formula Xl are converted to retrosteroids by base catalyzed reaction with methyl vinyl ketone to yield a 9B, l0a-androst-4-ene-3-one of formula XVlll. The conversion of compounds of formula Xl to compounds of formula XV and of the latter to compounds of formula XVllI are described in greater detail in Belgian Pat. No. 663,197.

Compounds of formula Xl wherein Y is R can also be directly reacted with methyl vinyl ketone yielding a 5-hydroxy-tetracyclic compound of formula XVI. These latter compounds can then be subjected to dehydration followed by hydrogenation or to hydrogenation followed by dehydration to yield 9,l0a-or 10ozsteroids of formulas XVI! and XVlll. These procedures are described in greater detail in Netherlands Octrooiaanvrage No. 6412939. Still other methods of utilizing compounds of formula Xl are described in the literature and other patents.

In those compounds of formula Xl wherein Y is a 3- substituted butyl radical, catalytic hydrogenation over a noble metal catalyst such as palladium gives a l9-nor- 4,5-seco compound of formula XII. The 3-substituted butyl radical is then converted to a 3-oxobutyl radical, thus giving a compound of formula Xlll.

The conversion of the 3-substituted butyl radical of the compound of formula Xll to the 3-oxobutyl radical of the compound of formula Xlll can be effected for each particular meaning of R and R in a manner known per se as described hereinabove for generation of a 3-oxobutyl moiety in compounds of formula I. When R and R taken together are alkylenedioxy, the conversion of compounds of the formula Xll to compounds of the formula Xlll proceeds directly in the presence of acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid and acetone at room temperature.

However, the conversion of the 3-substituted butyl radical of the compounds of formula XII to the 3-oxobutyl radical of the compounds of formula Xlll for other specified values of R and R defined hereinafter, proceeds through a reaction sequence which yields novel intermediates. When R taken alone is etherified hydroxy e.g. lower alkoxy and R taken alone is hydrogen; compounds of formula XII, for example, l[3- tertiary-butoxy-butyl l 8-methyll 9-nor-desA- androstan-5,l7-dione, can be converted by cyclization to a novel class of enol ethers of the formula:

wherein R R R R R R Z and m are as above. Exemplary of the compounds of this formula is a,9atrans-2-methyl-6aB-ethyl-2,3,4,4b,5,6,8,9,9a,9b,l0,l ldodecahydrocyclopenta [5,6 ]naphtho[ 2, 1 -b]pyran- 7(6aH)-one. Cyclization to the enol ether of formula XIX can be effected by treatment of the alkoxy substituted derivatives of formula Xll with acid and heat in a solvent such as for example, benzene or toluene. Suitable acids for the cyclization step are p-toluenesulfonic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, potassium bisulfate and the like. This cyclization is preferably effected at the reflux temperature of the reaction medium although temperatures from between 70 to 130 are suitable.

Further reaction of this novel class of enol ethers by treating with an agent R Ol-l where R is hydrogen or lower alkyl, can be accomplished utilizing the same conditions described previously for the reaction of compounds of formulae lb and VIII e.g. preferably hydration with acid such as sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid and the like, in the previously named solvents at room temperature yields compounds of the formula:

XIX

R XX

wherein R R R R R R R,,,, Z and mare as above.

Exemplary of compounds of this formula is 6u,9a-trans- 2-methyl-6aB-ethyl-7-oxo-perhydrocyclopenta[5,6]- naphtho[2,lb]pyran-l lu-ol.

The compounds of formula XX can be further reacted by an oxidation process to produce the diketone compounds of structure Xlll. Moreover, where R in formula XX is ethyl, i.e., 6a,9a-trans-2-methyl-6aB- ethyl-7-oxo-pcrhydrocyclopenta-l5,6]naphtho[2,lblpyran-l ]a-ol, the oxidation reaction affords. the novel compound lOl3-oxo-butyll-l8-methyl-l9-nordesA-androstan-5,l7-dione. Exemplary of the suitable oxidizing agents for the reaction, are chromic acid and potassium dichromate. Jones Reagent (chromic acid, sulfuric acid and acetone) is an especially preferred reagent for this purpose. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid at room temperature.

Cyclization of the compounds of formula Xlll can then be effected to yield l9-nor-androst-4-ene-3-one of the formula XIV. The cyclization reaction of compounds of formula Xlll to compounds of formula XlV can be effected by treatment of the compound of for mula Xlll with acid or base. ln this reaction it is preferred that the water of reaction be removed, by refluxing the reaction mixture with an azeotroping agent in the presence of a strong acid and separating acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, potassium bisulfate and the like. Alternatively, base-catalyzed dehydration can be utilized, for example by heating compound Xlll in the presence of methanolic sodium hydroxide or potassium t-butylate in t-butanol to about 50C. Moreover, where R in formula XIII is ethyl, for example, 10-[3-oxobutyl l 8-methyll 9-nor-desA-androstan-5 ,l 7-dione, the cyclization process yields the novel l8-homo diketo compound l3B-ethyl-gon-4-ene-3, l 7-dione.

Compounds of formula XIV can be selectively alkynylated by a suitable organo metalic acetylide affording norgestrel l3/3-ethyl-l7a-ethynyl-l7-hydroxygon-4-ene-3-one). Exemplary of the suitable alkynylating agents to effect the conversion to norgestrel are the alkali acetylides such as lithium acetylide, potassium acetylide, sodium actylide, etc. The reaction is carried out in the presence of liquid ammonia in a suitable solvent system such as for example, benzene or toluene. The alkynylation is effected preferably at the reflux temperature of the reaction medium although temperatures from between 60 to -30 are suitable. Exemplary of other suitable reagents to effect the acetylenic addition are lithium acetylide ethylenediamine complex in a dimethylformamide solvent and Grignard analogs such as mono and his acetylenemagnesium halides. The acetylene addition, known with l3-methylsubstituted steroids, is similarly effected with the more bulky l3ethyl-substituted steroid notwithstanding the increased steric hindrance in the latter configuration.

The above and other methods for utilizing compounds of formulas XII and XIII as intermediates in syntheses of steroidal materials are described in published patents and in the literature, such as French Pat. Nos. 1,364,556; 1,452,898; 1,432,569 and 1,465,400.

In an alternate procedure not depicted in the subject reaction scheme certain compounds of formula XI wherein Y is 3-hydroxybutyl or an ether or ester protected derivative thereof can be converted to cnol cthers of formula XIX via novel dienol ethers of formula XXV according to the following scheme:

R1. 15 Z CH R14 5 2 m H ta) 5 XIX wherein Z,R,, R R R R and R are as above and R, is hydrogen, lower alkyl, acyl, monocyclic carbocyclic aryl-lower alkyl or a radical of the formula wherein each of R R and R independently is lower alkyl.

It is to be understood that compounds of formula Xl-a where R, is other than hydrogen, lower alkyl or acyl can be readily prepared from compounds of formula XI where R is hydroxy by reacting the latter compound with a halo derivative of the radical to be introduced such as a monocyclic carbocyclic aryl lower alkyl halide or where X is halo using conditions otherwise well known in the art for such reaction.

As used above the term monocyclic carbocyclic aryl denotes a phenyl or substituted phenyl radical. Substituted phenyl radicals have one or more of the same or different substituents attached to any position available for substitution. substituents on the aryl group may include, for example, lower alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl and the like; etherified hydroxy], such as, lower alkoxy, e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, and the like. The term monocyclic carbocyclic aryl-lower alkyl comprehends, for example, phenyl-lower alkyl, e.g., benzyl, l-phenylethyl, 2- phenylethyl, and the like included aryl substituted derivatives thereof.

In step (a) of the subject reaction scheme the lO-[3- substituted-alkyl ]-A"-des A-steroids of Formula XI-a are cyclized to yield the novel dienol ether compound of formula XXV. The cyclization is suitably effected by the application of heat in the presence of a mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid or hydrogen halides, e.g., hydrochloric acid; or an organic acid, preferably an aryl sulfonic acid such as benzene sulfonic acid or p-toluene sulfonic acid. The cyclization reaction can be conducted in any suitable inert organic solvent, preferably however, a hydrocarbon such as benzene or toluene is employed. The reaction is conveniently carried out at the reflux temperature of the solvent although lower reaction temperatures can also be employed consistent with carrying out the reaction in a minimum of time without undue difficulty. When R in the comounds of formula XI-a is hydrogen the aforesaid cyclization can be effected by the application of heat alone, acid treatment alone or a combination of both.

In step (b) of the subject scheme dienol ether compounds of formula XXV are converted into enol ether compounds of formula XIX by a novel selective hydrogenation procedure. The hydrogenation can be suitably effected by employing a nobel metal catalyst such as, palladium, platinum and rhodium with the preferred catalyst being palladium. It is preferred to deposit the catalyst on a suitable support material, carbon being found to be most convenient for the purpose. The hydrogenation is suitably conducted in the presence of an inert organic solvent, preferably a hydrocarbon such as benzene or toluene. Ambient conditions of room temperature and atmospheric pressure are generally preferred to avoid significant hydrogenation of the N bond. The hydrogenation must be effected under basic conditions. A most suitable base has been found to be a trilower alkylamine, such triethylamine.

Compounds of formula XI, XIV, XVII, XVIII, XIX and XX wherein Z is carbonyl can be converted into corresponding pregnane compounds, i.e., compounds in which Z is of the formula by known procedures. Thus, for example, l9-nor-14B- androst-4-ene-3,l7-dione can be converted into 19- nor-l4B, Wot-progesterone and desA-androst-Q-ene- 5,17-dione can be converted into desA-pregn-9-en- 5-one. These procedures for convertng androst- 17-ones into pregnanes are best effected if all carbonyl groups other than that in the l7-position are initially protected.

As has been pointed out above, the products of this invention are produced in the form of various optically active antipodes, which can be carried through the entire reaction sequence, or which can be resolved at suitable places during the reaction sequence. For example, at any stage wherein a compound having a secondary hydroxy] group is present, such as hydroxytetrahydropyran (IV), or any of the hydroxy compounds of formula I. one can react the secondary alcohol with a dicarboxylic acid to form a half-ester. Suitable dicarboxylic acids include lower alkyl dicarboxylic acids such as oxalic acid, malonic acid, suecinic acid, glutamic acid, adipic acid, or aromatic carboxylic acids such as phthalic acid. The resulting half-ester is then reacted with an optically active base, such as brucine, ephedrine, or quinine, to produce a diastereomeric salt. The salts, after separation, are then readily reconverted to optically active alcohols. As an alternative, the secondary alcohol can be reacted with an opticall active acid, for example, camphorsulfonic acid. The resulting diastereomeric esters are then separated and reconverted to the alcohols.

It is preferred that the resolution be effected at some stage in the synthesis of alken-3-one, as by the abovementioned resolution of hydroxytetrahydropyran (IV). In a more preferred technique optically active S-alkyl- 5-valerolactone is obtained from 5-alkyl-5- oxopentanoic acid via known microbiological processes. The S-form of this lactone is the preferred form for use in accordance with this invention. In a third method, the racemic lactone can be hydrolyzed to the corresponding hydroxy acid, which is then resolved by treatment with an optically active base in the manner described above. Still other methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Resolution at such early stages in the overall process described herein is highly preferred because of the improved efficiency in the production of steroids having a desired stereoconfiguration. Because the stereoconfiguration is retained throughout the synthesis of alken-3-one (II and further because the condensation of alken-3-one or variant (II, lIa or llc) with cycloalkanedione (III) is stereo-specific, one, by proper selection of stereoisomers at these early stages, can ensure that substantially all of the tricyclic compounds of this invention and the steroids derived therefrom have a selected stereo-configuration. Thus, by this technique, the production of compounds of the undesired configuration is minimized or prevented entirely, with an attendant increase in the efficiency of the production of compounds of the desired configuration.

In the claims, all compounds shall be construed to inelude, independently, the racemic form of the compound and independently, each enantiomeric form, i.e., the d and I configurations unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The following examples are illustrative. All temperatures are in degree Centigrade and all products having centers of asymmetry are racemic unless specifically indicated otherwise.

EXAMPLE 1 a. A mixture of 38 grams of Z-methylcyclohexane- 1,3-dione, 51 grams of sodium hydroxide, and 450 milliliters of water was hydrogenated over Raney nickel catalyst at a maximum temperature of C. and a maximum pressure of 750 p.s.i. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate, containing sodium 5- hydroxyheptanoate, was acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid (to a pH of 1), and then refluxed for 30 minutes. The resulting solution was cooled and filtered. The filtrate was extracted with three l-liter portions of benzenes and the combined benzene extracts, after washing with water, drying over sodium sulfate, and evaporation, yielded 26 grams of 5-ethyl-5 hydroxyvaleric acid lactone.

b. A suspension of 5.2 grams oflithium aluminum hydride in 250 milliliters of anhydrous ether was added with stirring over one hour to a solution of 64 grams of 5-ethyl-5-hydroxyvaleric acid lactone in 500 milliliters of anhydrous ether maintained at 0-5C. and under a nitrogen atmosphere. After the addition of 250 milliliters of 3N sulfuric acid, the reaction mixture was extracted with three l00-milliliter portions of ether. The combined ether extracts were then washed with two IOO-milliliter portions of sodium bicarbonate solution, then with two -milliliter portions of water. After drying over sodium sulfate, the etheric solution was evaporated at 45C. under vacuum to yield 57.1 grams of 6-ethyl-2-hydroxytetrahydropyran.

c. To 7.6 grams of magnesium in 7 milliliters of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran containing a few drops of ethyl bromide and a few milligrams of iodine maintained at 4548C. was added, over a 4-hour period, 120 milliliters of a 20.8 weight per cent solution of vinyl chloride in tetrahydrofuran. The resulting reaction mixture was cooled to 30C. and a solution of 13 grams of 6-ethyl-2- hydroxytetrahydropyran in 40 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was added. After standing overnight, there was added ice and ammonium chloride. Extraction of the resulting mixture with three 250-milliliter portions of ether, washing with three 100-milliliter portions of sodium chloride, drying over sodium sulfate, and evaporation gave 16 grams of 3,7-dihydroxy-1-nonene.

d. To a solution of 25 grams of 1-nonene-3,7-diol in 1250 milliliters of 1,2-dichloroethane was added 0.25 gram of hydroquinone and 300 grams of manganese dioxide. The resulting slurry was stirred vigorously for onehour without heating, during which time the reaction temperature rose to about 30C. The resulting reaction mixture was filtered and the manganese dioxide filter cake was washed thoroughly with 500 milliliters of 1,2-dichloroethane. The combined filtrates were evaporated in vacuo at 40C. to yield 17.3 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen-3-one. This compound is reacted with hydrogen chloride to produce l-chloro-7- hydroxynonan-B-one, with dimethylamine to produce 1-(N,N-dimethylamino)-7-hydroxy-nonan-3-one, with water to produce 1,7-dihydroxynonan-3-one, or with ethanol to produce l-ethoxy-7-hydroxynonan-3-one.

EXAMPLE 2 Employing procedures similar to those described in Example 1, except that cyclohexane-l,3-dione is substituted for 2-methylcyclohexane-1,3-dione, 7-hydroxyoct-1-en-3-one is produced.

EXAMPLE 3 Employing procedures similar to those described in Example 1. except that 2-ethylcyclohexane-1,3-dione is substituted for 2-methylcyclohexane-l,3-dione, 7-hydroxydec-l-en-3-one is produced.

EXAMPLE 4 A 20 per cent solution of diisobutyl aluminum hydride in 3 l .4 milliliters of toluene was added over a 30- minute period to a solution of 5 grams of L-(-)-5- pentyl-S-hydroxy-valeric acid lactone in 50 milliliters of toluene at 70C. After workup of the resulting reaction mixture as described in Example 1(b), there was obtained 5 grams of practically pure optically active 6- pentyl-2-hydroxytetrahydropyran.

To a solution of this product in 20 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran was added at 30C. a solution of vinyl magnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran prepared from 3.5 grams of magnesium and excess vinyl chloride in the manner described in Example 1(6). After hydrolysis of the reaction product with an ammonium chlorideice mixture, followed by extraction with ether, there was obtained 5.72 grams of 3(R,S),7(S)-dihydroxy-ldodecene as an oil. After crystallization from isopropyl ether-pentane at C., the diol melted at 65.567.5C. and had an optical rotation [01],, =+5.9 as determined from a l per cent solution in chloroform.

A solution of 5.22 grams of the diol in 1,2- dichloroethane was stirred with 63 grams of manganese dioxide in the presence of 50 milligrams of hydroquinone for 1 hour. After filtration to remove the manganese dioxide, washing with additional dichloroethane and ether, and evaporation of the filtrate at 30C., there was obtained 3.98 grams of optically active 7( S )-hydroxy-1 -doclecen-3-one.

EXAMPLE A solution of racemic 7-hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one [21.3 g.; crude obtained as in Example l(d)] in hexane (200 ml.) was treated for hours at 25C. with a solution of (-)-a-phenylethylamine (11.5 g.) in hexane (115 ml.). The reaction mixture was then purified by chromatography on alumina 660 g. Elution with hexane first gave unpolar byproducts. Hexane-ether- (4:l)-, (1:1), and straight other then eluted 2-[2-(1- phenylethylamino)ethyl]-6-ethyl-2-tetrahydropyranol obtained in solid form after evaporation of the solvents.

EXAMPLE 6 To a solution of the 2-[2-(1- phenylethylamino )ethyl ]-6-ethyl'Z-tetrahydropyranol (prepared and purified as described in Example 5; 13.87 g., purified by chromatography) in dioxane (200 ml.) a solution of oxalic-acid (4.55 g.; 99.0 percent anhydrous powder) in dioxane (215 ml.) was added. After standing at 25C. (65 hours) the precipitated white crystals were filtered off and washed with cold dioxane ml.). Thus. the oxalate of 2-[2-(1- phenylethylamino)ethyl]-6(S)-ethyl-2- tetrahydropyranol was obtained, m.p. [a],, ==28.2 (c=l.0; methanol).

EXAMPLE 7 To 20 g. of magnesium turnings in a 500 ml. flask equipped with dry-ice condenser, thermometer, and dropping funnel, 30 ml. of tetrahydrofuran was added followed by dropwise addition of vinyl chloride solution (200 ml.; 26 percent solution in tetrahydrofuran) while the oil bath in which the flask was immersed was maintained at The vinyl chloride was added at such a rate so that the reaction temperature remained at 46-5 2. Iodine vapor and methyl iodide were used to initiate the reaction.

Upon completion of the addition of the vinyl chloride, the reaction mixture was cooled to 5, and 6- [4,4-(ethylenedioxy)pentyll-tetrahydrofuran-2-ol (44.63 g.) dissolved in 150 ml. tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise to the Grignard reagent at 5 to 0. The resulting mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature.

The solution was then treated with ice and ammonium chloride solution (200 ml.), and the mixture extracted three times, each time with 500 ml. of chloroform. The organic phase was washed once with ammonium chloride solution and twice with water, and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Removal of the solvent in vacuo afforded crude 11,1 l-ethylenedioxy- 3,7-dihydroxyl-dodecene as pale yellow liquid which solidified upon refrigeration.

A sample of the crude product was recrystallized once from isopropyl ether-hexane to give clusters of colorless needles which upon three additional recrystallizations from the same solvent provided 11,11-' ethylenedioxy-3 ,7-dihydroxy-1-dodecene which melted at 5254.

A solution of 22.0 g. of 11,1l-ethylenedioxy-ldodecene-3,'7-diol in benzene (600 ml.) and diethylamine (40 ml.) was treated under vigorous stirring with manganese dioxide (108 g.) at 25C. After stirring for 18 hours at room temperature, the manganese dioxide was filtered off and washed with benzene. After evaporation of the filtrate crude 2-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-6- (4,4-ethylenedioxypentyl )-2-tetrahyd ropyranol was obtained.

A sample of the crude 1 1.1 1-ethylenedioxy-3,7-dihydroxy-l-dodecene 10 g.; prepared as described above) EXAMPLE 8 A mixture of 8.3 grams of 7-hydroxy-lnonen-3-one, 7 grams of Z-methylcyclopentane-1,3-dione, 0.1 gram of hydroquinone, 4.2 milliliters of pyridine, and 42 milliliters of toluene was refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for two hours employing a Dean-Stark watercollection apparatus. The reaction solution, after cooling, was filtered to recover unreacted Z-methylcyclopentane-L3-dione. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, yielding 9.78 grams of crude 3-ethyl-6aB-methyll,2,3,5,6,6a -hexahydrocyclopenta[fllllbenzopyran- 7(8l-l)-one. A mixture of the crude product, 1 gram of charcoal, and milliliters of ether was refluxed for 5 minutes. After decantation, the resulting solution was concentrated and 20 milliliters of hexane was added to cause crystallization. A first crop of 3.88 grams was obtained which melted at 96-99C. After concentration of the mother liquor and crystallization from a cold diisopropyl ether/hexane mixture, a second crop of crystals melting at lO-103C. was obtained.

Employing similar procedures 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl- 1,2,3,5,6,6a, hexahydrocyclopentalf][lIbenzopyran- 7(8H)-one is prepared by substituting 1-chloro-7- hydroxynonan-3-one for the 7-hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one.

EXAMPLE 9 A mixture of 16.2 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 11.5 grams of 2-methylcyelopentane-1,3-dione. 210 milliliters of xylene. and 105 milliliters of acetic acid was refluxed for 1 /2 hours. After evaporation. the crude reaction product, weighing 27.9 grams, was extracted with two 135-milliliter portions of benzene. The remaining residue, which weighed 1.7 grams, was unreacted Z-methylcyclopentane-l,3-dione. The benzene extracts were combined and evaporated to yield 25 grams of crude product. A solution of this product in hexane was filtered through alumina and, afer evaporation of the hexane and crystallization of the product from a hexane-pentane mixture, there was obtained 16.6 grams of 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopental f] l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-0ne, melting point 104106C.

Employing similar procedures 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl- 1,2,3,5,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopenta[f] l ]benzopyran- 7(8H)-one is prepared by substituting 1-(N,N- dimethylamino)-7-hydroxynonan-3-one for the 7'hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one.

EXAMPLE 10 A mixture of 1.56 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 1.12 grams of Z-methylcyclopentane-l ,3-dione, and 50 milliliters of toluene was refluxed for 6 hours. workup of the reaction mixture in the manner described in Example 9 yielded 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl- 1,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a-hexahydrocyelopenta[f][l lbenzopyran- 7(8H)-one.

EXAMPLE 1 l A mixture of 1.56 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 1.12 grams of 2-methylcyclopentane-1,3-dione, 16 milliliters of p-dioxane, and 80 milligrams of p-toluenesulfonic acid was reacted at 25C. for 22 hours. Employing the work-up procedures of Example 9, there was obtained 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a hexahydrocyclopenta[f] [l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one.

EXAMPLE 12 A mixture of 1.56 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 1.12 grams of 2-methylcyelopentane-1,3-dione, 0.16 grams of p-toluenesulfonic acid, and 16 milliliters of benzene was refluxed for 30 minutes and worked up as described in Example 9 to yield 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl- 1,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopenta[f] l lbenzopyran- 7(8H)-one.

EXAMPLE 13 A mixture of 1.56 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 1.12 grams of 2-methyleyclopentane-l ,3-dione, 16 milliliters of toluene, 0.8 milliliter of pyridine, and 0.16 gram of p-toluenesulfonic acid was refluxed for 30 minutes. After treatment of the reaction mixture as described in Example 9, there was obtained 3-ethyl-6uB- methyl-1,2,3,5,6,a-hexahydrocyclopentalf][llbenzopyran-7(8H)-one.

EXAMPLE 14 A mixture of 1.56 grams of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen- 3-one, 1.12 grams of 2-methylcyelopentane-l.3-dione,

25 milliliters of toluene, 5 milliliters of cyclohexanone, and 0.3 gram of aluminum isopropoxide was refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for one hour. After workup as described in Example 15 below, there was obtained 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyelopenta-[f][l]benzopyran-7(8H)-one, melting point l00l02C.

EXAMPLE 15 A mixture consisting of 1.56 grams of 7hydroxy-1- nonen-3-one, 1.12 grams of 2-methylcyclopentane-1 ,3- dione, and 016 gram of potassium acetate in ten.- butanol, was held at 25C. for 20 hours. The resulting reaction mixture was extracted with three ZOO-milliliter portions of ether. After washing each ether extract with three -milliliter portions of water, the ether extracts were combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to dryness. The residue which weighed 2.16 grams was dissolved in 22 milliliters of hexane and ehromatographed on alumina. After elution with hexane and evaporation of the hexane, there was obtained spirol4a-methyl-7ahydroxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7aoctahydrocyelopenta[ b ]pyran-5-one-2,2'-( 6 -ethyltetrahydropyran)], melting point 8895C. The melting point was 9397C. after sublimation at 65C. and 0.01 mm.

EXAMPLE 16 A mixture of 0.3 gram of 7-hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one, 0.3 gram of 2-methylcyelopentane-1,3-dione, 6 milliliters of tert.-butanol, and 15 milligrams of sodium hydroxide was held at 25C. for 2 /2 days yielding spiro[4- a-methyl-7a-hydroxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7aoctahydrocyelopenta[ b]pyran-5-one-2,2 6 -ethyltet rahydropyan)]. The same product was obtained when potassium hydroxide was substituted for sodium hydroxide.

EXAMPLE 17 A mixture of 0.3 gram of 7-hydroxy-1-nonen-3-one, 0.3 gram of 2-methylcyclopentane-1,3-dione, 6 milliliters of toluene, and 0.1 milliliter of a 30 per cent solution of benzyl trimethyl ammonium hydroxide in methanol was held at 25C. for 5% days and then heated at 50C. for 15, hours yielding spiro[4a-methyl-7ahydroxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7aoctahydrocyelopenta[b]pyran-5-one2,2-(6-ethyltetrahydropyran) EXAMPLE 18 A mixture of 100 milligrams of spirol4u-methyl-7ahydroxy-2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,7aoctahydrocyelopenta[ b ]pyran-5-one-2,2-( 6'-ethyltetrahydropyran)], 5 milliliters of benzene, and 10 milligrams of p-toluenesulfonic acid was held at 25C. for 20 hours. After workup in the manner described in Example 15 and crystallization from hexane, there was obtained pure 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyelopental f] l l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one.

EXAMPLE 19 Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 8, except that 2-ethylcyclopentane-1,3-dione is substituted for 2-methylcyclopen tane-LB-dione, there is produced 3,6uBdiethyl- 123,5,6,6a-hexahydrocye1opentalf)[ 1 ]benzopyran7(8H)-one melting at 57-59C.

EXAMPLE 2O Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 8, but substituting Z-methylcyclohexane-l,3-dione for 2-methylcyclopentane-l,3- dione, there is produced 3ethyl-6aB-methyl- 1,2,3,5,6,6a,8,9-octahydro-7H-naphthol2,l-blpyran- 7-one melting at 9l92C.

EXAMPLE 21 Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 8, but substituting 2-ethylcyclohexane- 1 ,3-dione for 2-methylcyclopentane-1,3- dione, there is produced 3,6aB-diethyl- ,2,3,5,6,6a,8,9-octahydro-7H-naphtho[2,1-b]pyran- 7one.

EXAMPLE 22 Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 8, but substituting 7-hydroxy-locten-3-one for 7-hydroxyl -nonen-3-one, there is produced 3,6aB-dimethyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopental f] l l lbenzopyran-7( 8H )-one.

EXAMPLE 23 Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 19, but substituting 7-hydroxy-1- octen-3-one for 7-hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one and 2-ethylcyclopentane-l,3-dione for 2-rnethylcyclopentane-l,3-dione, there is produced 6aB-ethyl-3-methyl- 1,2,3 ,5 ,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopentalf] l ]benzopyran- 7(8H)-one.

EXAMPLE 24 Employing apparatus and procedures similar to those described in Example 8, but substituting 7-hydroxy-1- decen-B-one for 7-hydroxy-l-nonen-3-one, there is produced 6aB-methyl3-propyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopentalf][l]benzopyran-7(8H)-one.

EXAMPLE 25 EXAMPLE 26 A mixture of 2-methyl-cyclopentane-1,3-dione (2.24 g), xylene (100 ml.) and glacial acetic acid (25 ml.) was refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 minutes. Then optically active 2-[2-(1- phenylethylamino)ethyl ]-6-ethyl-2-tetrahydropyranol oxalate (6.4 g., prepared as described in Example 6) was added and the mixture refluxed for 1 hour. The resultant solution was then washed with H2O (2X50 ml.), saturated NaHCO solution (2X50 ml.) and H 0 (1X50 ml,). The aqueous phases were extracted with benzene (2X15O ml.) The combined benzene and xylene fractions were evaporated and the residue (2.4 g.) was chromatographed on alumina g.). With hexane and hexan-ether-( 19:1) (total 13 fractions, 160 ml. each) pure 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-1,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydro-cyclopentalf][l]ben2opyran-7(8H)-one was eluted. After evaporation of fractions 3-1 1 (pure by thin layer chromatography analysis) yellow crystals resulted. This product had a rotation of [01],, l45.3 (t=l .0; CHCl Recrystallization from pentane afforded 3-ethyl-6aB-methyl-l,2,3,5,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopentalflll]benzopyran-7(8H)-one as beige crystals m.p. 97-100, [01],, -145.7 (c=1.0; CHCI EXAMPLE 27 A mixture of 2-methyl-cyclopentane-l,3-dione (8.6 g.), xylene (157 ml.) and glacial acetic acid (78.5 ml.) was refluxed under a nitrogen atmosphere for 2 minutes. Then a solution of crude 2-(2-diethylaminoethyl)' 6-(4,4-ethylenedioxypentyl)-2-tetrahydropyranol (23 g., as prepared in Example 7) in xylene (78.5 ml.) was added to the reaction mixture during 15 minutes. The mixture was then refluxed for another 15 minutes and then worked up by extraction with ether (3 times), washing of the combined extracts with sodium bicarbonate solution and water, drying over sodium sulfate, filtration, and evaporation of the filtrate at 50C. in vacuo to give a crude mixture of 3-(4,4- ethylenedioxypentyl)-3aB-methyl-l,2,3,5.6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[f] [l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one, (3-hydroxy-7-oxooctyl )-7aB-methyl-2,3,5 ,6,7,7ahexahydroinden-l,5( lH)-dione and 3-(4-oxopentyl)- 6aB-methyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[ f] [l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one. This mixture was separated by chromatography on alumina. Elution with hexane afforded 3-(4,4- ethylenedioxypentyl )-6a,8-methyl- 1 ,2,3 ,5 ,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[f][l]benzopyran-7(8H)-one, elution with hexane-ether (9:1) afforded 3-(4- oxopentyl )-6aB-methyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopenta[f][1]benzopyran-7(8H)-one and elution with chloroform afforded 4-(3-hydroxy-7- oxooctyl)-7a,B-methyl-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydroinden- 1,5(1H)-dione, an oil.

A mixture of pure 3-(4,4-ethylenedioxypentyl)-6aB- methyl- 1 ,2,3,5,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopental f] [llbenzopyran-7(8H)-one (2.86 g), acetone (56 ml.) and 1N sulfuric acid (5.6 ml.) was allowed to stand at room temperature for 18 hours. The workup by extraction with ether (3 times), washing of the combined extracts with sodium bicarbonate solution and water, drying over sodium sulfate, filtration, and evaporation of the filtrate at 50C. in vacuo gave a crude mixture of 4-(3- hydroxy-7-oxooctyl)-7aB-methyl-2,3,5,6,7,7a-hexahydroinden-l,5( lH)-dione and 3-(4-oxopentyl)-6aB- methyl-l ,2,3,5,6,6a-hexahydrocyclopentalf] [l lbenzopyran-7(8H)-one. This mixture was separated by chromatography on silica gel (52 g.). Elution with hexaneether (1:1) and other alone afforded pure 3-(4- oxopentyl )-6aB-methyl-1 ,2,3 ,5,6,6ahexahydrocyclopental f] [l ]benzopyran-7( 8H )-one (m.p. 7485C., thin layer chromatography, one spot). Elution with methanol afforded 4-(3-hydroxy-7- 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FORMULA
 2. A compound of the formula
 3. A compound of the formula 